2024-2025 Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM)

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Any students here that would be willing to help with a mock interview or provide interview advice? Did my first mock interview yesterday and realized very quickly that being an outgoing person does not equal easy interviews lol
 
StumpjumperIII said:
Any students here that would be willing to help with a mock interview or provide interview advice? Did my first mock interview yesterday and realized very quickly that being an outgoing person does not equal easy interviews lol
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Determined2024 said:
Anyone who has interviewed, can you share your experience? What's your recommendation to get ready? Thanks!
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I would definitely review your primary and secondary as a lot of my questions were related to my experiences and degree. I would *try* to be yourself as much as possible. I admittedly did very little prep outside of going over my "tell me about yourself" and "why medicine" responses, and I didn't feel overly underprepared for the interview.
I didn't have an interviewer who showed a ton of emotion, and mine was 1-on-1 open file. I felt like it was really straightforward overall with only one kinda "out of the blue" ethics question towards the end, but overall it was pretty chill
 
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For those of you who interviewed already, how long did the review process take after the secondary was marked as complete before you got an II?
 
noah__ollie said:
For those of you who interviewed already, how long did the review process take after the secondary was marked as complete before you got an II?
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Haven’t interviewed, but 5 days after my file was marked complete got the interview invite, probably 2-3 weeks after my secondary though?
 
OMS-1 here! Feel free to DM me any questions you guys have. Good luck on this process! Yall got this
 
To those of you that have As how did you feel post interview? Did you think the academic panel/student panel had anything to do with the decision or just the interview?
 
MangoesAreTheBestFruit8 said:
To those of you that have As how did you feel post interview? Did you think the academic panel/student panel had anything to do with the decision or just the interview?
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Hey! I'm a current OMS-4 at ACOM, and I was also a student ambassador. The ambassador panel does not factor into admissions decisions in any way! It's just for you to ask any questions that you may have (that you want a current student's opinion on). Hope this helps!
 
Secondary Invite 08/22/2024 Out of State Applicant
 
Grifalicious said:
Hey! I'm a current OMS-4 at ACOM, and I was also a student ambassador. The ambassador panel does not factor into admissions decisions in any way! It's just for you to ask any questions that you may have (that you want a current student's opinion on). Hope this helps!
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When was the student ambassador panel? I got accepted but never received an email regarding this
 
iamNOTbatman said:
When was the student ambassador panel? I got accepted but never received an email regarding this
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When I interviewed it was part of the interview day, and we did them as part of the interview day when I was a second year, as well. I'm not sure how they're doing the panel now, but it should have been either part of your interview day or offered at some other time prior to acceptance. If you contact the school, they may be able to offer you a date so you can get some of your questions answered. I can also help, but my information on the preclinical years may be a little outdated. I'm sorry that I can't be more helpful!
 
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Grifalicious said:
When I interviewed it was part of the interview day, and we did them as part of the interview day when I was a second year, as well. I'm not sure how they're doing the panel now, but it should have been either part of your interview day or offered at some other time prior to acceptance. If you contact the school, they may be able to offer you a date so you can get some of your questions answered. I can also help, but my information on the preclinical years may be a little outdated. I'm sorry that I can't be more helpful!
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How are the clinical rotations set up? Do we get to choose where we rotate, or are we randomly assigned? Also, do you think the school prepared you well for COMLEX and USMLE? (I saw the pass rates were high but still wanted your opinion).

And no worries, I'll reach out to the school. Thank you!
 
iamNOTbatman said:
How are the clinical rotations set up? Do we get to choose where we rotate, or are we randomly assigned? Also, do you think the school prepared you well for COMLEX and USMLE? (I saw the pass rates were high but still wanted your opinion).

And no worries, I'll reach out to the school. Thank you!
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The school hosts a rotation/clinical site fair in November of second year, where you are given the opportunity to speak with core site/regional coordinators, students, preceptors, and the medical education director (head doc) from each site. ACOM also gives you a rotation guide, which includes information about all of the sites, such as benefits (parking, food, etc.) and available rotations. It pays to prepare before the fair, as you won't have enough time to talk with all of the sites-- I would have a short list of sites, as well as some specific questions, so you can maximize your time.

Over winter break and into early January, you'll have the opportunity to make a rank list. You'll list all of the sites from 1 to 33 (or so), and they'll be run through an algorithm to determine where you'll "match" for your clinical years. You'll hear a lot of anecdotes and also get some data from the school, but what we've been told is that roughly 2/3 of the class will land somewhere in their top 3. I personally matched at my 8th choice, but I've loved it! You'll find out your assignment at a "match day" celebration in early February. There is a small window for swapping, where people who are interested in swapping will put in requests and the school facilitates the changes. It's not very common to be able to swap sites.

I'm an HPSP student, so I ended up only taking COMLEX. I feel like the school prepared us decently well, but board prep at every school winds up coming down to First Aid, Pathoma, Sketchy, UWorld, TrueLearn, Boards & Beyond, Anki, etc. I don't know of anyone who did well on boards without relying on third party resources (at any school). ACOM does provide First Aid, Pathoma, UWorld, and TrueLearn, so that does save you having to buy those resources yourself. I would recommend getting Sketchy and studying micro and pharm.

I hope this helps! Feel free to PM me any time if you have any questions, and I'll do my best to help. This goes for anyone in the thread! 🙂
 
Grifalicious said:
The school hosts a rotation/clinical site fair in November of second year, where you are given the opportunity to speak with core site/regional coordinators, students, preceptors, and the medical education director (head doc) from each site. ACOM also gives you a rotation guide, which includes information about all of the sites, such as benefits (parking, food, etc.) and available rotations. It pays to prepare before the fair, as you won't have enough time to talk with all of the sites-- I would have a short list of sites, as well as some specific questions, so you can maximize your time.

Over winter break and into early January, you'll have the opportunity to make a rank list. You'll list all of the sites from 1 to 33 (or so), and they'll be run through an algorithm to determine where you'll "match" for your clinical years. You'll hear a lot of anecdotes and also get some data from the school, but what we've been told is that roughly 2/3 of the class will land somewhere in their top 3. I personally matched at my 8th choice, but I've loved it! You'll find out your assignment at a "match day" celebration in early February. There is a small window for swapping, where people who are interested in swapping will put in requests and the school facilitates the changes. It's not very common to be able to swap sites.

I'm an HPSP student, so I ended up only taking COMLEX. I feel like the school prepared us decently well, but board prep at every school winds up coming down to First Aid, Pathoma, Sketchy, UWorld, TrueLearn, Boards & Beyond, Anki, etc. I don't know of anyone who did well on boards without relying on third party resources (at any school). ACOM does provide First Aid, Pathoma, UWorld, and TrueLearn, so that does save you having to buy those resources yourself. I would recommend getting Sketchy and studying micro and pharm.

I hope this helps! Feel free to PM me any time if you have any questions, and I'll do my best to help. This goes for anyone in the thread! 🙂
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Thank you for the detailed response!

Few more questions. If I want to match into a decently competitive specialty such as Anesthesiology or Radiology, does the school offer support for that? How strong is the Alumni network with such specialties?
 
iamNOTbatman said:
Thank you for the detailed response!

Few more questions. If I want to match into a decently competitive specialty such as Anesthesiology or Radiology, does the school offer support for that? How strong is the Alumni network with such specialties?
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You're welcome! The school will support you in pursuing any specialty that you'd like, but they will counsel you to be reasonable and realistic. Anesthesiology and Radiology are very competitive, even for MD students, so you'll need to be very strong academically, particularly on your boards. The school is building an alumni network (the first class graduated in 2017), so that should be even stronger by the time you apply for residency. I know that both of those specialties have interest groups that regularly bring in speakers (including alumni), as well as provide great connections/resources to increase your chances of matching. If you want to pursue those specialties, I would strongly recommend having a backup option, as well.

For reference, but keep in mind I have no idea how many applicants went for these specialties each year:

Class of 2024: 5 DR, 1 IR, 2 Anesthesia matches
Class of 2023: 3 DR, 3 Anesthesia matches
Class of 2022: 6 DR, 7 Anesthesia matches
Class of 2021: 2 DR, 11 Anesthesia matches
 
Grifalicious said:
You're welcome! The school will support you in pursuing any specialty that you'd like, but they will counsel you to be reasonable and realistic. Anesthesiology and Radiology are very competitive, even for MD students, so you'll need to be very strong academically, particularly on your boards. The school is building an alumni network (the first class graduated in 2017), so that should be even stronger by the time you apply for residency. I know that both of those specialties have interest groups that regularly bring in speakers (including alumni), as well as provide great connections/resources to increase your chances of matching. If you want to pursue those specialties, I would strongly recommend having a backup option, as well.

For reference, but keep in mind I have no idea how many applicants went for these specialties each year:

Class of 2024: 5 DR, 1 IR, 2 Anesthesia matches
Class of 2023: 3 DR, 3 Anesthesia matches
Class of 2022: 6 DR, 7 Anesthesia matches
Class of 2021: 2 DR, 11 Anesthesia matches
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That's good to hear! The match numbers give me a good perspective as well.

Final questions - Can you also talk about the quality of the rotation sites? And is 4th year set up in the same way as 3rd? Also, what's the remediation policy?
 
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iamNOTbatman said:
That's good to hear! The match numbers give me a good perspective as well.

Final questions - Can you also talk about the quality of the rotation sites? And is 4th year set up in the same way as 3rd? Also, what's the remediation policy?
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All of the core sites are quality and offer many of the same perks-- free food, free parking, student lounges, typically 1-on-1 with preceptors. Some sites will have residency programs, so you'll get exposure to working with residents, as well. You're also free to do rotations at other sites in network, especially if your site doesn't offer a specific rotation. The main thing to figure out is where you want to live (Big city/small town?, residents or no?, do they have rotations in your specialty of interest?, interesting volunteer opportunities?, access to an airport?, etc.).

You'll stay at your core site for 4th year, as well. You can choose to set up as many away rotations as you would like, so you don't have to do any rotations at your core site, if you don't want to. There are some students who go home for 4th year and do all of their rotations at out-of-network hospitals. You can also do as many rotations as you want at your site or any of the other sites in-network. Unlike a lot of DO schools, you are not left to set up your entire fourth year (or foot the bill for your rotations) on your own.

The remediation policy was changed relatively recently (with the Class of 2026). The main semester where people struggle is the first (anatomy, molecular medicine, osteopathic practices and principles (OPP) I, primary clinical skills (PCS) I, and foundations of modern healthcare (FMHC) I). The possible results are as follows:
  • You pass all of your courses with 69.5 or greater = move onto systems/second semester
  • You pass all of your courses except one with between a 65 and 69.49 = move onto systems, but you remediate the course you failed over the summer between OMS-1 and OMS-2
  • You pass all of your courses except one with below a 65 = repeat OMS-1 with the next class
  • You fail two courses = recommended for dismissal
Once you've had to remediate or repeat, you're then on academic probation until you finish OMS-2 and take COMLEX Level 1. Failing another course or system would likely result in recommendation for dismissal. There are tutors available for anatomy and molecular medicine, and you will be assigned OMS-2 teaching assistants for both OPP and PCS, who will help you study and prepare for your practicals/OSCEs.
 
Grifalicious said:
All of the core sites are quality and offer many of the same perks-- free food, free parking, student lounges, typically 1-on-1 with preceptors. Some sites will have residency programs, so you'll get exposure to working with residents, as well. You're also free to do rotations at other sites in network, especially if your site doesn't offer a specific rotation. The main thing to figure out is where you want to live (Big city/small town?, residents or no?, do they have rotations in your specialty of interest?, interesting volunteer opportunities?, access to an airport?, etc.).

You'll stay at your core site for 4th year, as well. You can choose to set up as many away rotations as you would like, so you don't have to do any rotations at your core site, if you don't want to. There are some students who go home for 4th year and do all of their rotations at out-of-network hospitals. You can also do as many rotations as you want at your site or any of the other sites in-network. Unlike a lot of DO schools, you are not left to set up your entire fourth year (or foot the bill for your rotations) on your own.

The remediation policy was changed relatively recently (with the Class of 2026). The main semester where people struggle is the first (anatomy, molecular medicine, osteopathic practices and principles (OPP) I, primary clinical skills (PCS) I, and foundations of modern healthcare (FMHC) I). The possible results are as follows:
  • You pass all of your courses with 69.5 or greater = move onto systems/second semester
  • You pass all of your courses except one with between a 65 and 69.49 = move onto systems, but you remediate the course you failed over the summer between OMS-1 and OMS-2
  • You pass all of your courses except one with below a 65 = repeat OMS-1 with the next class
  • You fail two courses = recommended for dismissal
Once you've had to remediate or repeat, you're then on academic probation until you finish OMS-2 and take COMLEX Level 1. Failing another course or system would likely result in recommendation for dismissal. There are tutors available for anatomy and molecular medicine, and you will be assigned OMS-2 teaching assistants for both OPP and PCS, who will help you study and prepare for your practicals/OSCEs.
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Dude I love the amount of detail you put into your responses!! Do you know what percent of students fail a course or two?
 
iamNOTbatman said:
Dude I love the amount of detail you put into your responses!! Do you know what percent of students fail a course or two?
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I don't really have any hard numbers for you, but I've heard that my class (2025) had roughly 15 or so who had to repeat, and I believe we had two or so who were dismissed. I also know of one student who left to pursue another degree. I know that once they changed the remediation policy to the one above, the number of repeating students went down greatly. The retention rate for the Class of 2026 is over 97%, so they've only had maybe five or six who have had to repeat. I haven't seen any numbers for the Class of 2027, but I would imagine that they're similar to 2026.

I would guess that the changes in retention rate are likely due to several factors, such as the new remediation policy, the anatomy/molecular medicine boot camp, and the hybrid course structure (going away from mandatory attendance). Students are able to have a little more breathing room when they may be struggling, they can use the boot camp to get back into the swing of things if they've been out of academics for a while (or they can just get an early taste of med school), and they can study the material in a way that works best for them. Being responsive to feedback, as well as making changes to improve both student outcomes and our quality of life, is one of the things I most appreciate about ACOM.
 
Grifalicious said:
I don't really have any hard numbers for you, but I've heard that my class (2025) had roughly 15 or so who had to repeat, and I believe we had two or so who were dismissed. I also know of one student who left to pursue another degree. I know that once they changed the remediation policy to the one above, the number of repeating students went down greatly. The retention rate for the Class of 2026 is over 97%, so they've only had maybe five or six who have had to repeat. I haven't seen any numbers for the Class of 2027, but I would imagine that they're similar to 2026.

I would guess that the changes in retention rate are likely due to several factors, such as the new remediation policy, the anatomy/molecular medicine boot camp, and the hybrid course structure (going away from mandatory attendance). Students are able to have a little more breathing room when they may be struggling, they can use the boot camp to get back into the swing of things if they've been out of academics for a while (or they can just get an early taste of med school), and they can study the material in a way that works best for them. Being responsive to feedback, as well as making changes to improve both student outcomes and our quality of life, is one of the things I most appreciate about ACOM.
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Awesome! That’s reassuring. And thank you for answering all my questions. You’re great!

Oh and do you know what the rent is at ACOM student housing?
 
iamNOTbatman said:
Awesome! That’s reassuring. And thank you for answering all my questions. You’re great!

Oh and do you know what the rent is at ACOM student housing?
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Glad to help! You can find more information about the housing at this link: Housing - ACOM

You'll have to email them to get the current rates, but when I was renting for my first two years, it was roughly $1100/month for a 1 bed, 1 bath apartment. I would guess that it's probably closer to $1200 now, but I can't say for certain!
 
G is out here slanging great info! I wanted to chime in and say that I am also a 4th year at ACOM who was gunning for a competitive specialty (but now I am in between the competitive specialty and a non competitive one) and can provide insight on how ACOM prepares you to anyone who would like to DM me. I am also a parent so I have insight for those who are also parents.

As far as Boards go, G hit the nail on the head. The school preps you well but you also have to use third party and develop a strong study regime early on. I also only took COMLEX for other reasons than G but I will say that I was scoring in the 250's on STEP practice exams and I ended up with a 58x on level 2 which I believe is like 75th percentile so not bad but also not 90th percentile.

If anyone has any questions about anything, feel free to DM me. I am currently on a trauma rotation so I will be slow to respond but I will respond.
 
Ayeeee! +OOS II.

Primary submitted 8/1. Secondary submitted 8/8. Complete email received 8/22.
 
TW99 said:
Anyone with a sub 500 accepted?

I have a 499 MCAT, 3.79s+cgpa, loads of clinical, research, and volunteer experience.

I have an OOS II scheduled for 9/13 and I’m worried my MCAT will hold me back from the A…. 😬
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What’s avg mcat for acom
 
i submitted my secondary app around a week back, and my checklist still does not have a mark on secondary application. does it usually take time for them to update the checklist? will we get a complete email?
 
dubaicoconut123 said:
i submitted my secondary app around a week back, and my checklist still does not have a mark on secondary application. does it usually take time for them to update the checklist? will we get a complete email?
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Oh, hon, YES, it takes them forever to update the checklist. I got an interview invite last week and my checklist only has "Submit AACOMAS application" checked. I find the "Current status" bar at the top is much better, but definitely still delayed!
 
+1 OOS II. Can you only schedule in-person interviews? I don't see any option for virtual. Would love to save money if possible 😵
 
newacc20486 said:
+1 OOS II. Can you only schedule in-person interviews? I don't see any option for virtual. Would love to save money if possible 😵
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when i scheduled last month there were options for both. if you cant do IP id give them a call if you cant find any more virtuals!!!!! save that money!!! the deposit is expensive... lol
 
Interviewing Friday! Any tips outside of sdn interview feedback page I should be aware of?
 
Someone who has already interviewed - what does interview day look like (roughly)? I want to book a flight and want to know if I can just fly in and out the day of/how long I should plan to be on campus. Thanks!
 
newacc20486 said:
Someone who has already interviewed - what does interview day look like (roughly)? I want to book a flight and want to know if I can just fly in and out the day of/how long I should plan to be on campus. Thanks!
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The interview starts early in the morning so I don’t think you would do be able to fly in the day of but it ends by 4 so you should be able to fly out same day.
 
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